Associated Press

Republican candidates for the 6th Congressional District

MILWAUKEE — The Democratic primary to replace U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin features two state lawmakers running on their legislative expertise and two political newcomers running on their lack of experience, which they say makes them even more qualified for the job.

At a time when Congress is locked in partisan disputes, Democratic voters in the Madison area can decide whether an insider’s acumen or an outsider’s perspective is better suited to the challenge.

The four Democrats will square off in an Aug. 14 primary, with the winner taking on Republican Chad Lee in the general election in November.

In the only other congressional primary, Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Petri, who has served in Congress for more than 30 years, faces Tea Party challenger Lauren Stephens, who has raised only $6,000 and is running a low-profile campaign.

The competition in the 2nd District was created by Baldwin’s decision to run for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Herb Kohl. She has held the House seat since 1998, and has been a champion of gay rights, health care reform and stem-cell research.

The four Democrats jockeying to replace her — state Reps. Mark Pocan and Kelda Helen Roys, attorney Matt Silverman and businessman Dennis Hall — all say they hope to carry on her progressive legacy, and would also emphasize job creation and fiscal responsibility.

Pocan has the fundraising advantage. From Sept. 1 through June 30, he reported net contributions of $722,000, with $454,000 cash on hand.

Roys, over a period covering two additional months, had net contributions of $370,000, with $190,000 in the bank on June 30.

Silverman and Hall reported more modest totals — Silverman with just under $6,000 in the bank as of late July and Hall with less than $2,000.

Pocan, who like Baldwin is openly gay, is in his seventh term in the Wisconsin Assembly. He has served as a co-chair of the Joint Finance Committee, which he said has given him valuable experience in writing budgets.

“I think Kelda is a bright, capable person. But the real difference between us is, I have far more accomplishments and experience that will enable me to hit the ground running,” said Pocan, 47. “I’ve got battle scars over the years, and I’m proud of those battle scars.”

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Roys came to the Legislature in 2008 after serving as the executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin, a group that promotes abortion rights. She said her priorities in Congress would include working to create family-supporting jobs, repairing infrastructure and reforming the campaign finance system.

She praised Baldwin for being a courageous voice for Wisconsin.

“This is one of the most progressive congressional seats in the nation,” the 33-year-old said. “And the person who occupies it should be a beacon that can help rebuild the progressive movement in this country.”

Silverman and Hall both played up their lack of political experience, saying voters were fed up with Washington insiders. They said the legislative process is broken, and the first step toward fixing it is replacing career politicians.

Silverman, 30, an Army veteran who served 15 months in Iraq, said his military experience taught him how to work toward the greater good.

“I’d say what we’re missing in Washington is a sense of public service,” he said. “And that is something I certainly learned in the Army, leading troops in combat — the idea that a leader has to lead by example and put the interests of others above your own.”

Hall, 63, served with the Air Force in Vietnam, and went on to a number of business ventures, including running a startup financial services company.

He said he was worried about the future that his three grandchildren face, with a large federal deficit and an education system that was falling behind in world rankings.

“The 21st century is going to be won by the nation that best trains its children for success. We’re not doing it right now,” he said.

In the 6th Congressional District, which covers Fond du Lac and surrounding areas, Petri has amassed a large financial advantage in his re-election bid. Petri reported having $930,000 in the bank as of late July, whereas Stephens had $6,000.

Petri, who has held the seat since 1979, said his priorities in his next term would include working to create jobs and culling regulations that create uncertainty for business and slow the economy.

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He said he understands many Americans are frustrated with Congress.

“In the nature of things, candidates promise hope and change, and sometimes it’s not possible to do things as quickly as people want,” said Petri, 72. “We are going through a difficult economic period right now, and that’s clearly reflected in the approval rating” showing public dissatisfaction.

Stephens, 47, is the former executive director of the Conservative Wisconsin political action committee. Stephens declined to be interviewed by telephone, asking that a reporter send questions by email or visit her website.

On her website, she proposes eliminating the Transportation Security Administration because of inefficiency and expense, cracking down on illegal immigration and making English the nation’s official language. Having an official language is “common sense and builds common ground,” she said on her website.

Stephens is running in the 6th district even though her Beloit address is in the 2nd District. She told KFIZ-AM she’s been planning to move to Columbus, a city that straddles the 2nd and 6th districts. There is no legal requirement that House candidates live in the district for which they are running.

With farmers now using winter hay to keep their cows fed while facing record feed bills they can't pay, some are taking a difficult and somewhat drastic step. They are selling off their animals. And business at state livestock auctions has surged since drought gripped the state.